Spouse or Intimate Partner Law and Legal Definition
The following is an example of a Federal statute defining the term spouse:
According to 18 USCS § 2266 [Title 18. Crimes and Criminal Procedure Part i. Crimes Chapter 110a.Domestic Violence and Stalking] spouse or intimate partner means
“(A) for purposes of--
(i) sections other than 2261A--
(I) a spouse or former spouse of the abuser, a person who shares a child in common with the abuser, and a person who cohabits or has cohabited as a spouse with the abuser; or
(II) a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the abuser, as determined by the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship; and
(ii) section 2261A [18 USCS § 2261A]--,
(I) a spouse or former spouse of the target of the stalking, a person who shares a child in common with the target of the stalking, and a person who cohabits or has cohabited as a spouse with the target of the stalking; or
(II) a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the target of the stalking, as determined by the length of the relationship, the type of the relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
(B) any other person similarly situated to a spouse who is protected by the domestic or family violence laws of the State or tribal jurisdiction in which the injury occurred or where the victim resides.”
